Thurs. June 29 - Where did all the BC wine go?

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning !

I was chatting with my brother recently about the best ways to get around town after a night out. I’ve been biking more and taking cabs out of habit, but he’s made the switch over to Uber and doesn’t think he’ll go back to taxis anytime soon.

Before Uber launched, we asked our readers for their thoughts on using the service, and reactions were mixed—I’m wondering if there’s been a change now that Uber has been operating for nearly a month.

— Robyn

⛅ Today's weather: Mix of sun and cloud. High 21C / low 12C.

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10), no smoke expected.

NEWS

Good and bad news for oenophiles—and even casual drinkers of BC wines

The bad news is there's going to be less BC wine to go around this summer.

The good news—and we can all raise a glass to this—is that although last winter's freezing temperatures in BC Wine Country may have left winemakers with fewer grapes to squish into a succulent, savoury sip, you shouldn't expect the price of BC wines to go up.

"We're aware consumers have other options," says Miles Prodan, president and CEO of Wine Growers British Columbia. "Because the supply is limited, we would not take advantage of that because we would price ourselves out of the market."

Temperatures in the Okanagan plummeted to -30C and beyond last December, damaging vines and putting the industry in short- and long-term risk.

Area wineries didn’t have to deal with the flash freeze here in Victoria, and while Prodan couldn’t say how many of BC’s 451 licensed wineries were hit by the cold snap, the damage is serious.

"About 80% of all grapes grown here in BC happen in the south Okanagan, sort of between Penticton and down to Osoyoos, so you can imagine that's 80% of our crop. And of that 80%, it looks as though only half of that is going to be producing grapes this vintage."

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being cabernet catastrophe, Prodan ranks the situation as an eight.

A report commissioned by Wine Growers British Columbia found the following agricultural and economic impacts:

• 45% of total plant acreage suffered long-term damage

• 29% of total acreage needs to be replanted

• $133M in direct winery revenue loss

• More than $200M in indirect economic revenue loss to suppliers, BC Liquor Stores, restaurants, etc.

• A 20% reduction in full-time vineyard and winery employment

Read more on how this will affect jobs, tourism, and the climate challenges facing the BC wine industry at Capital Daily.

Capital Bulletin

🏳️‍🌈 Raising of Pride Flag at BC Legislature: The flag raising today at the front lawn flagpole will be livestreamed, 10am.

🚨 Man found dead in Sooke: An investigation was launched after police said the man appeared “distraught” Tuesday afternoon. [Victoria News]

NEWS

Highway 4 wildfire closure shows BC’s lack of preparedness for climate change costs

British Columbia’s enormous effort to speed the partial reopening of Highway 4 on Vancouver Island—closed for upwards of two weeks due to a wildfire—is another illustration of the dramatic costs tied to climate impacts, says an economist.

“It’s a huge hit to the restaurants, hotels, and all the services that would normally be making money at this time of year and potentially jeopardizes their whole summer,” said Marc Lee, senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).

“The economic disruption and costs associated with already existing climate change is something that we don't often think about enough.”

The province’s Transportation Ministry has been pulling out the stops to get the key transportation corridor—the only paved road serving Port Alberni, numerous First Nations, and the West Coast tourist hot spots of Ucluelet and Tofino—open to single-lane alternating traffic by the weekend.

The route was closed for safety reasons June 6 after a wildfire tore across steep, rocky bluffs above the highway stretching along Cameron Lake, dropping charred trees and large rocks hundreds of feet onto the roadway.

Canadians, and BC residents in particular, have become acutely aware of the huge costs associated with the climate crisis, and the need to radically cut oil and gas emissions and invest in adaptation and resilience measures, Lee said.

The impacts on the BC economy due to the combined effects of the 2021 heat dome, a savage wildfire season, and widespread fall flooding likely cost more than $17 billion, making it the most expensive climate disaster in Canadian history, a CCPA study by Lee showed.

The province’s costs to repair Highway 4 from the wildfire won’t be anything near those incurred two years ago. But they will still be significant and are another example of the increasingly expensive and frequent problems associated with the climate crisis, he said.

Read more on how the Highway 4 closure—and climate change as a whole—will cost BC.

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NEWS

One year anniversary of Shelbourne bank shooting

Three police officers are still recovering one year after six officers were injured in a shootout with two heavily armed 22-year-old brothers who held up a Bank of Montreal on the corner of Shelbourne and Pear. The brothers were killed in the exchange of bullets, and the surrounding area was evacuated shortly after when a bomb disposal squad was dispatched.

A GoFundMe for the injured police officers that closed last August raised over $270K.

After a months-long investigation by the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit, police released information in January about the assailants’ motives to harm police, as well as their movements and planning beforehand.

Capital Picks

🎸 Nik West at Bullen Park: As part of TD Victoria International JazzFest, the bassist and singer will perform tonight, 6:30pm.

🎙️ Caity Gyorgy at Hermann’s Jazz Club: The Juno winning vocalists will perform tonight during JazzFest, 7pm.

🎹 Emmett Cohen Trio at Hermann’s Upstairs: The internationally renowned jazz pianist will play tonight for JazzFest, 8pm.

🌊 On July 6, 11am-noon, the COAST Talks series explores coastal community challenges and how ocean tech companies are providing solutions. Register here today!*

🏳️‍🌈 Victoria Pride Festival: The celebration of Victoria’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community begins today with a masquerade dance party for ages 15-25, 5:30-8:30pm. Pride events this week include the Memorial Drag Ball Game and the Big Gay Dog Walk.

🎭 The Berlin Blues at Langham Court Theatre: Reconciliation Theatre Society’s comedy about a German corporation’s scheme to build an Indigenous-themed amusement park runs from today until Sunday. [Details]

🎶 RAVEN presents Logan Staats at Victoria Event Centre July 13! Experience a night of song, dance, and activism as we raise funds for Heiltsuk Nation. Get your tickets today!*

🤝 Now hiring: Seasonal Custodian at The Butchart Gardens.

*Sponsored Listing

In Other News

📃 BC Security Commission creates specialized form for those directly impacted by Victoria investment firm
BCSC’s Criminal Investigations Branch asks those with personal involvement with Shop Your Own Mortgage/My Mortgage Auction Corp. (SYOM/MMAC) to provide information in an online inquiry form. SYOM/MMAC was placed under receivership in May following claims that $226M was owed to investors. Its owner, Greg Martel, has denied claims that the company is a Ponzi scheme.

🐶 Five puppies still missing after theft from Nanaimo backyard
After 10 puppies were stolen from their kennel, five of the eight-week-old German shepherds have been recovered, leaving five still missing. On the night of the theft, the owner’s daughter awoke to strange sounds in their backyard, where she saw people in toques grabbing the dogs and driving off in an SUV. [Times Colonist]

In Case You Missed It

🚨 Esquimalt MLA asked to resign as children and family development minister: The First Nations Leadership Council wants Mitzi Dean to resign following the death of an 11-year-old Indigenous boy. [Capital Daily]

🦅 Heron colony returns to Beacon Hill: Great Blue Herons had abandoned their heronry 16 years ago after being attacked by bald eagles. [Times Colonist]

🌲 “Natural, bitingly funny, and heartfelt.” The Belfry Theatre will premiere Christine Quintana’s new play As Above, during its 2023/2024 season. Learn more here.*

📰 Wednesday’s headlines: Victoria Pride Week, Victoria ocean tech organization to receive $8.1M, Saanich off-leash decision recessed, and more. [June 28]

🐶 $1M for Duncan SPCA shelter replacement: The proposed facility will be an animal behaviour centre, the the first of its kind in Canada.

👶 Introducing developmental milestone checks! Tall Tree’s child development specialists ensure your little ones are on track and offer access to early intervention resources.*

*Sponsored Listing